Certified Pharmacy Technician Program

Level 1- Introduction to Pharmacy Technician

This course serves as the introductory phase of the Pharmacy Technician Certificate program. During the course, the student will be introduced to the expanding role of the pharmacy technician and the profession of pharmacy in general. The various pharmacy practice settings, and pharmacy professional organizations that offer technician membership. The student will learn pharmacy and medical terminology and information about the top 200 selling prescription drugs (brand name, generic name, drug classification, and indication for use). The laws pertaining to the pharmacy profession, the technician’s duties and responsibilities, and laws governing the handling and dispensing of controlled substances. Basic pharmaceutical calculations and conversions, and the handling, preparation and distribution of a variety of dosage forms will be addressed. The student will also be instructed on the concepts surrounding insurance plans, billing, and reconciliation as they relate to the practice of pharmacy. Finally, the student will receive introductory level instruction on the pharmacology of many of the medications they will be handling daily.

Level 2 Introduction to Pharmacology and Advanced Pharmacy Calculations

This course serves as the second phase of the Pharmacy Technician Certificate program. This course provides a more in-depth look into the profession of pharmacy and the technician's role. The student will receive more advanced instruction on pharmaceutical calculations and review those introduced in Introduction to Pharmacy Technician. The student will receive additional instruction on pharmacology, focusing on a new set of drug classes and disease states. The student will also be introduced to compounding (sterile and non-sterile) and receive training on how to perform some of the duties required to work in that particular setting. The student will learn about medication errors, the financial impact they have on the health care delivery system, and - most importantly - receive instruction on how to prevent medication errors. The student will learn about the non-dispensing duties of the pharmacy technician. In addition to the coursework detailed above, the student will receive assistance with25job seeking skills (resume’ writing, interviewing) and will begin preparations to take the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCB)

Level 3 -Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam Preparation

This course serves as the final review of everything that has been covered in the previous two courses. This can also serve as a review class for current pharmacy technicians who would like to take the PTCB certification test. This course brings together all program instruction and explains how it relates to the current practice of pharmacy. Prerequisites: Level 1&2.